{"id":109685,"date":"2018-02-13T03:53:25","date_gmt":"2018-02-13T01:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/r3m-fundraising-target-smashed-by-aquelle-midmar-mile-swimmers\/"},"modified":"2018-02-13T03:53:25","modified_gmt":"2018-02-13T01:53:25","slug":"r3m-fundraising-target-smashed-by-aquelle-midmar-mile-swimmers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/r3m-fundraising-target-smashed-by-aquelle-midmar-mile-swimmers\/","title":{"rendered":"R3m fundraising target smashed by aQuelle Midmar Mile swimmers"},"content":{"rendered":"

R3m fundraising target smashed by aQuelle Midmar Mile swimmers<\/a>: <\/p>\n

\"\"
(HOWICK) \u2013 DESPITE a lagging economy, swimmers at South Africa\u2019s premier open water championship, the aQuell\u00e9 Midmar Mile, have smashed an ambitious target of raising R3-million for charities nationwide, fundraisers announced on Monday [12 February].<\/p>\n

Drawing amateur and serious athletes of all ages, this past weekend\u2019s event saw many swimmers raise funds for causes ranging from cancer to water awareness as Day Zero draws closer in the Western Cape.<\/p>\n

As of Monday morning, charity organisers announced that more than R3.1m had been raised \u2013 a staggering 55% increase on the R2m raised in 2017. And more is expected to flow in in the coming weeks, they say.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot all EFT\u2019s made over the weekend have come in yet. We\u2019ll also keep fundraising open for a few more weeks to give people a chance to hit their targets. But it\u2019s an impressive number regardless,\u201d said Stan Kozlowski, chairman of the main fundraising initiative, the 8 Mile Club.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d imagine by the end of this week the 8 Mile Club alone will have surpassed the R3-million mark. We’re currently sitting on R2.98m raised, with the 16 Mile Club having raised R113,000\u201d.<\/p>\n

Over 13,000 swimmers from across the country descended on Midmar Dam near Pietermaritzburg for the 45th edition of South Africa\u2019s premier open water race. Among them were the 200-plus members of the 8 Mile and 16 Mile clubs.<\/p>\n

Suzelle Stegen, marketing manager for aQuell\u00e9, said the water brand was proud to support such great initiatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelping the community is a key element of our brand. We love the fact that families, clubs and corporate teams can come together and take part in a healthy, water-based activity that spreads the joy and does so much good for many worthy causes,\u201d said Stegen.<\/p>\n

The 8-Milers \u2013 so called for the distance each member swims for charity \u2013 each swam the eight-mile-long events on Saturday and Sunday to collect as much money as possible for their seven chosen charities. These included breast cancer charity Pink Drive, Singakwenza Education and Health, Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC), Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, KZN Wildlife for Save the Rhino, Wildlands Conservation Trust and the Cancer Association of South Africa.<\/p>\n

Former East Coast Radio DJ Brad Ray, 40, now living in Johannesburg, completed his fifth 8-Mile challenge. He and his sister, Abigail Ray, swam on behalf of Singakwenza, a non-profit organisation that works to improve the lives of disadvantaged children through early childhood education programmes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a huge believer in education having the power to change people\u2019s lives for the better, and what Singakwenza does for young children is amazing,\u201d said Brad. \u201cI knew the bigger charities would have support already, and the smaller charities need the money more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joining the 8-Milers was former Paralympic silver medallist Terence Parkin, who is on a 902km cycle-swim-run journey to raise funds for the Deaf Children\u2019s Learn to Swim and Water Safety Programme.<\/p>\n

Their 16 Mile Club counterparts raised funds for the Duzi Umngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT), which is dedicated to protecting the uMsunduzi and uMngeni rivers.<\/p>\n

Gary Albertyn, 49, of Pretoria, swam his first 16-Miler for DUCT two years ago. This past weekend he swam with Cape Town\u2019s looming \u201cDay Zero\u201d in mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that with the reality of Day Zero looming in Cape Town and the water restrictions that exist in many parts of our country, clean water sources are more important than ever. DUCT provides a life-changing service and being part of the fundraising team for them is an honour,\u201d said Albertyn.<\/p>\n

It was family affair, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe as a family have been doing the aQuell\u00e9 Midmar Mile since 2012.\u201d<\/p>\n

Race director Wayne Riddin said the spin-off of the event as a major national fundraiser showed the true heart of South Africans.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are incredibly happy that it has become a platform for swimmers to challenge themselves both physically and mentally, and to challenge their friends and families to contribute to their fundraising efforts,\u201d said Riddin.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.<\/p>\n

Source:<\/strong> MyPR<\/a><\/small>
\n<\/p>\n

Submit your own Press Release<\/a> or get free content for your publication.<\/p>\n

Video – How to post your Press Release on MyPR:<\/strong>
\n